Leading national firm fined £160k for accounts rule breaches
National law firm Taylor Rose has been fined £160,000 for multiple breaches, including residual balances held for up to seven years and not self-reporting to the SRA.
SRA “should ask KC” to review approach to SLAPPs
The Solicitors Regulation Authority should consider commissioning an independent KC to review its approach to prosecuting SLAPPs, a leading media lawyer has argued.
Motor finance law firm to launch JR of lifetime smoking ban
A law firm which specialises in motor finance claims is to launch and fund a judicial review of new legislation which will ban anyone born after 1 January 2009 from buying tobacco.
AI playing “vital role” in managing legal aid work
AI is fast becoming a vital part of how law firms can afford to carry out legal aid work, according to the practice director of the country’s largest legal aid practice.
The drama is over – no Mazur appeal
The Law Society has decided against trying to appeal last month’s Court of Appeal ruling in Mazur, it has confirmed to Legal Futures.
Reviewer urges better understanding of SQE format
There should be more effort to help candidates and others understand why multiple-choice questions are used in the SQE, its independent reviewer has suggested.
Legal Services Board reverses plan to reduce budget
The Legal Services Board has reversed its plan to reduce its budget and instead approved a small increase, amounting to an extra £1.79 on every authorised lawyer’s practising fees.
Lenders signing up to “fully digital homebuying service”
Lloyds Banking Group has become the first of several lenders to offer mortgage customers access to a “fully digital homebuying service” in a partnership with Connells and conveyancers.
SRA puts size of suspected PM Law fraud at £40m
The SRA’s investigation into PM Law “involves a sophisticated suspected fraud”, with the improper removal and misuse of £39.5m of client funds.
Judge warns PI firms of SRA referrals over damages deductions
Personal injury solicitors who jack up their base costs to ensure they always hit the 25% cap on deductions from damages risk referral to the SRA, a senior district judge has warned.
